Gerald Wilfred Ringler

Gerald Wilfred Ringler, age 90, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2021. Gerald was born on July 19, 1931 in Reading, Pennsylvania to parents Ernest William Ringler and Mary Redcay Ringler.

As a teenager, Gerald joined the United States Marine Corp ROTC at Reading High School. After graduation, his reserve unit was called to active duty in December 1950. Gerald married his beloved wife, Mary Lou, before departing for his first tour of duty in the Korean War.

Gerald was based at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina as part of the Second Marine Division. He completed multiple tours in Korea, Vietnam, Okinawa, and Guantanamo Bay as well as deployments with battalion landing teams in the Caribbean and with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. He completed Quartermaster School in Quantico, Virginia. Gerald was a Food Service Specialist and earned the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant.

During his 22 years as an active duty marine, Gerald received many awards and commendations for his leadership and service. His military awards include: Good Conduct Medal (eight times), Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the United Nations Medal for Korea, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Medal with one star, the National Defense Medal, the Vietnamese Service Medal with 2 stars, the Vietnamese Campaign Medal with device, and the Navy Commendation Medal with combat “V”. As a testament to his character and service, Lieutenant General of the United States Marine Corp H. W. Buse Jr. wrote, “by his resourcefulness, superior professionalism, and unwavering devotion to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Ringler greatly enhanced the welfare of his battalion, and upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corp and of the United States Naval Service.”

Gerald completed his active duty years as an instructor, teaching culinary skills to marines at the Food Services School at Camp Johnson. During this time he completed his Associates of Applied Science Degree in Business from Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, North Carolina. After Gerald retired from active duty in 1972, he continued teaching culinary classes to marines at Camp Johnson as a civil servant until his full retirement in 1996.

As a devoted freemason, Gerald was a founder of New River Lodge and a DeMolay sponsor helping young men grow and develop as part of the Masonic community. From 1980 – 1983, Gerald represented New River Lodge as a District Deputy Grand Lecturer for the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. He served as Deputy Grand Commander in 1983 and Grand Commander in 1984. In 1980, Gerald was named Certified Lecturer Laudamus, and in 2007 he was named Certified Lecturer Emeritus. He was also awarded the Knights Templar Cross of Honor in 1980, the General Grand Council Award in 1995 and the Youth Leadership Award in 2015.

Gerald was also a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church In Jacksonville, North Carolina until he relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Ringler, his children (Marjorie Ringler Rachide of Sandy Springs, Georgia and Andrew Gerald Ringler and spouse Bill Johnson of Charlotte, North Carolina), his grandchildren (Mary Marlena Rachide and spouse Mark Lawrence Rankin of Atlanta, Georgia and Stephen Paul Rachide and spouse Sheila Rachide of Fort Mill, South Carolina), and his great grandchildren (Evelyn Marie Rankin and Isaac William Rankin of Atlanta, Georgia and Henry Paul Rachide of Fort Mill, South Carolina). He is also survived by his nieces Eileen Wilson, Ruth Rhoads, Diana Cianciosi, Heather Uczynski, Jan Henderson, Jill Noah, and Gale Martin and his nephews Roy Naftzinger, James Naftzinger, Paul Naftzinger, David Naftzinger, Ernie Price, Brian Ringler, Ross Ringler, Daniel Pruitt, and Michael Pruitt. Gerald was preceded in death by his five siblings Carol Ringler, Betty Ringler Pruitt, William Ringler, Galen Ringler and Sydney Ringler.

Viewing will be held at McEwen Funeral Service – Pineville Chapel at 10500 Park Rd., Charlotte, North Carolina 28210 at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 15, 2021.

Burial Service with military honors will be held at the Salisbury National Cemetery at 501 Statesville Road, Salisbury, North Carolina 28144 at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Gerald’s memory to the North Carolina Masonic Foundation for New River Lodge #736 at 195 Old 30 Rd Jacksonville, North Carolina 28546. Online contributions can be made at https://mfnc.org/how-to-give/.

Simper Fidelis

Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.